Life’s looking grand for piano man Mark
Reporter: Martyn Torr
Date published: 22 October 2008
PIANO man Mark Goodwin is tuning up for a return to his home town of Royton.
His piano sales business has relocated from Rochdale, where he rented basement premises owned by his uncle — former world champion stock car driver Stuart Smith.
All was going well until the showroom was flooded, not once but twice, when a large water main burst in the road outside the premises in George Street.
New premises have been located at 728 Rochdale Road, Royton, just on the brow of the Summit hill next to the Pleasant Inn.
Born and raised in Royton, Mark, (29), studied piano from an early age. While a pupil at Thornham St James and Crompton House Schools he also studied violin, through the Oldham Music Centre.
As a member of the Oldham Youth Orchestra and leader of Crompton House Orchestra, he has performed at the Royal Festival Hall in London and the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, as well as venues in the USA. But after gaining an honours degree in music, with piano as his main instrument, Mark’s entry into the piano business was somewhat accidental.
His elderly uncle, who had acquired more grand pianos than he could fit into his terrace house, asked Mark if he would sell a couple for him on the internet.
He did — and has never looked back. He started storing pianos in his father’s garage in Royton five years ago and is so busy he has given up performing, now playing just for fun.
As well as selling all makes and varieties of pianos, Mark’s main stock consists of the very popular Yamaha upright — the preferred choice of many music teachers and professional musicians.
He has even sold pianos to celebrities such as paranormalist Uri Geller, jazz singer Stacey Kent and Jas Mann, the front man of chart-topping band Babylon Zoo.
Mark believes that there is no better instrument than the piano for discovering musical talent in the family and believes that every home should have one.
Visit www.markgoodwinpianos.co.uk to view his stock.
Mark’s sales pledge is to sell an instrument that is suitable for the needs of the player.
